Re: Oh, one more question - heat or cold?

[Guest guest]

I'm not a dr but.....

They say that cold helps reduce the inflammation. Unfortunately, for

many RA sufferers cold hurts, and warmth soothes. I use warmth mostly

although you can try the cold/warm method my OT suggested. Fill two

basins with water (if you have a double sink that works great). One

with cold water, one with warm. Hold your hands in one for 15-20

seconds, then switch to the other. Do this for about 10-15 minutes.

NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (things like ibuprofen,

mobic, etc): help reduce and control inflammation, may have some

pain-killing properties

DMARDs - disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (methotrexate,

sulfasalzine, leflunomide, etc.): these drugs work in various ways,

some may slow cell reproduction, suppress the immune system, work on

various chemicals in the body - they all work to suppress the disease

process

BIOLOGICS - Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, etc:

" Biologics are genetically engineered proteins derived from human

genes. They are designed to either inhibit specific components of the

immune system that play a pivotal role in either fueling or

suppressing inflammation (a key component in several forms of

arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis).

What makes these biologics so different from other drugs used to treat

rheumatoid arthritis that modify the immune system is that they

affect a specific component of the immune system, not the entire

immune system. Thus, these medications theoretically have fewer side

effects. " source: WebMD

Hope that helps!

>

> Okay, my wrists (and fingers, but mostly the insides of my wrists),

really

> hurt. Should I use heat or cold? I tried a Thermacare wrap last

night

> (heat), and it didn't seem to do much. I haven't tried cold yet,

and since I don't

> really understand this disease, I'm not sure what to use.

>

> Also, could someone explain all the different types of drugs to

me? I

> think someone mentioned there are three classes of RA drugs? I see

a lot of

> ads on TV, but my rheumatologist does not want to put me on " bio "

drugs.

>

> Thank you,

>

>

>

>

> **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on

family

> favorites at AOL Food.

> (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

If you go to www.arthritis.org they will send you a free packet of information

on RA. The Arthritis foundation is very helpful and full of knowledge. DMARD's

help slow the progression on joint damage and should be started as early as

possible (Sulfasalazine, Plaquenil, Methotrexate) are some of the more common

ones. Biologics such as Enbrel seem to be very effective as well. I am not

certain what the third one is although its in my pamphlets my doctor gave me. I

take nightly hot baths before bed. I use the heating pad as high as I can

handle it on my skin. However, when my knee joints are warm and inflamed and

red, and very swollen, I use ice. I cannot use ice on my hands or feet as I

have reynaud's. Two things that are very good for hands and feet are those

Conair Parafin Wax dips. They really help hand pain. I also have a foot spa

(the bubbling kind and the ones that are parafin wax for the feet). The heat

seems to really help them. I LOVE the thermacare heat

packs for the knees and back. Yet I've heard from some that the ones for hands

and wrists do not correctly fit the areas that RA most affects.

thea7441@... wrote: Okay, my wrists (and

fingers, but mostly the insides of my wrists), really

hurt. Should I use heat or cold? I tried a Thermacare wrap last night

(heat), and it didn't seem to do much. I haven't tried cold yet, and since I

don't

really understand this disease, I'm not sure what to use.

Also, could someone explain all the different types of drugs to me? I

think someone mentioned there are three classes of RA drugs? I see a lot of

ads on TV, but my rheumatologist does not want to put me on " bio " drugs.

Thank you,

**************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family

favorites at AOL Food.

(http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

Hey ! I just had to respond to this because RA affects my wrists

incredibly. I still haven't found anything that really works with the

exception of the icey hot wraps. Those definately take the edge off. I

also (which I'm not necessarily recommending) use Ibuprofen sporadically

throughout the day. This takes the edge off a little bit more. Ice as

opposed to heat has always worked better for me because if you think of

it with all the swelling your wrists are harboring tons of heat. Adding

heat almost makes it worse so ice relieves the swelling and heat a

little. Good luck with that. I hate that it's in my wrists because you

use your hands for everything! If you hear of anything else could you

let me know as well?! Thanks, Maile

>

> Okay, my wrists (and fingers, but mostly the insides of my wrists),

really

> hurt. Should I use heat or cold? I tried a Thermacare wrap last night

> (heat), and it didn't seem to do much. I haven't tried cold yet, and

since I don't

> really understand this disease, I'm not sure what to use.

>

> Also, could someone explain all the different types of drugs to me? I

> think someone mentioned there are three classes of RA drugs? I see a

lot of

> ads on TV, but my rheumatologist does not want to put me on " bio "

drugs.

>

> Thank you,

>

>

>

>

> **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on

family

> favorites at AOL Food.

> (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I use hot pads( the kind they sell that have rice and lavender etc

inside)-I just microwave for three min and lay them over what ever

hurts. I then throw the packs in the freezer so after work I can cool

down the aches. I find that the pain in the morning is less when I

use some ice packs the night before. Kathy

> >

> > Okay, my wrists (and fingers, but mostly the insides of my

wrists),

> really

> > hurt. Should I use heat or cold? I tried a Thermacare wrap last

night

> > (heat), and it didn't seem to do much. I haven't tried cold yet,

and

> since I don't

> > really understand this disease, I'm not sure what to use.

> >

> > Also, could someone explain all the different types of drugs to

me? I

> > think someone mentioned there are three classes of RA drugs? I

see a

> lot of

> > ads on TV, but my rheumatologist does not want to put me on " bio "

> drugs.

> >

> > Thank you,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists

on

> family

> > favorites at AOL Food.

> > (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

> >

> > Okay, my wrists (and fingers, but mostly the insides of my wrists),

> really

> > hurt. Should I use heat or cold? I tried a Thermacare wrap last

night

> > (heat), and it didn't seem to do much. I haven't tried cold yet, and

> since I don't

> > really understand this disease, I'm not sure what to use.

> >

> > Also, could someone explain all the different types of drugs to me?

I

> > think someone mentioned there are three classes of RA drugs? I see a

> lot of

> > ads on TV, but my rheumatologist does not want to put me on " bio "

> drugs.

> >

> > Thank you,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on

> family

> > favorites at AOL Food.

> > (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

> >

> >

> >